New Range from Studio McVey

[Phil Robinson]

Picked this up on TGN

http://studiomcvey.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-kara-did-next.html

and

http://www.seditionwars.com/

[Hammers]

As I see this I realize just how much I am fed up with heroic SciFi. They are wasting their talent.

[Malebolgia]

Totally disagree. I'm really looking forward to this...McVey combined with Kev White beats Captain Planet any day

[Pil]

The drawing on the blog doesn't attract me much (the alien looks too much like a Tyranid) but the Sedition Wars page has a nice Necromundan feel about it

[Major_Gilbear]

Wow, so the only way to sell miniatures nowadays is to wrap them up in a game? 

I have mixed feeling about this from Studio McVey, but I think I'll probably be getting these new models one way or another as I *really* liked Lt Kara Black. The game itself... Hmm, less exciting I suppose.

Like Werner Klocke and Freebooter's Fate; stunning models (if you like his style, which I do), and a decent enough game. I personally would have been happy with just the models really (having tried the game out a little bit), and I have a sense of deja-vu seeing McVey's news.

Still, the news that the limited resin runs will be followed up with metal production runs is definitely good news, and if the game is the means to make this viable (i.e., volume sales), then I'm fine with that and I hope Mike and Ali get good returns from it.

[WarGameGuru]

Totally disagree. I'm really looking forward to this...McVey combined with Kev White beats Captain Planet any day

You know, I really like the sculpts from Kev White, he is a great sculptor. However there's Hasslefree models (his own company), many of which have this look and feel already. I think it might be almost redundant to put out this line, since at any time Kev White can bust out a really nice looking sci-fi model for Hasslefree.

I guess I'd have to ask, why pay premium pricing for Kev White's work with McVey, when you can get the same quality models from Hasslefree for less too? It's almost like competing with himself at that point?

I have and always have been a fan of the sci-fi genre, so I can't say I'm ever tired of sci-fi sculpts, and I'm sure these will be really nice models, I just have to question how sensible it is in an already quite crowded market, and in the middle of a terrible worldwide economic crisis to move ahead with this line. I guess it all comes down to how much they'll cost, and how good the actual game is.

Another guy mentioned Freebooter's Fate and Werener Klocke. Yes those are somewhat expensive models too, but the game is fantastic, addictive and quite brilliant all around, so having really nice looking models, plus a game to use them in, that happens to be a great game... That's the ticket to getting away with selling somewhat expensive models.

That is how Warmachine and 40k have made it, and it's how Freebooter Miniatures is doing so well at present too. All three are known for consistent quality when it comes to the models, and having games that you can use them in, that are fun and compelling to play. The actual game McVey comes up with will be the deciding factor that will make or break Seduction Wars.

The Sci-fi market is already crowded with skirmish games, and if you're asking close to, or more than $10 USD for a model, they better be REALLY special looking, and/or have a really impressive game to use them in, or else it will be a hard sell in this messed up economy.

[Malebolgia]

Well, from what I've understood, Kev has more than enough ideas and sculpts going for himself...but moulds and casts have to be paid in order to sell them and this is money Hasslefree doesn't have. The simple thing about commissionwork is you're getting paid the sculptwork, but you don't have to mould and cast models. At least, that's what I understood. Maybe some insiders can step in

[AKULA]

I guess I'd have to ask, why pay premium pricing for Kev White's work with McVey, when you can get the same quality models from Hasslefree for less too? It's almost like competing with himself at that point?

I agree (shock horror), that from a punters viewpoint, you can get similar quality models from Hasslefree directly, but the minis produced for Mike McVey are for a particular project, and so Kev is hardly likely to produce virtually similar minis for HF, and undercut Mike now is he?    In otherwords, if you like the sculpts that are in the McVey line, you will buy them from McVey, you won't buy them from Hasslefree.

The McVey resin castings on McVey's site are Limited Editions, which will also be reflected in the pricing.

I just have to question how sensible it is in an already quite crowded market, and in the middle of a terrible worldwide economic crisis to move ahead with this line. I guess it all comes down to how much they'll cost, and how good the actual game is.

You've made two assumptions, both of which I believe are wrong.

1) You seem to assume that people buying the minis equate them as luxury items, and will therefore trim back their spending due to the economic slowdown.  Most collectors/painters/gamers that I know, treat their lead horde as stress relief - they may well cut down on numbers bought, but often the quality actually goes up, as punters are more picky on what they buy.

2) You also seem to suggest that the success of the figure line depends upon the game - many punters that buy minis have no interest in gaming, and are buying them purely to paint/collect.

Ultimately, the arrangement must suit both McVey and Hasslefree, otherwise it wouldn't happen.

Out of interest WGG, have you asked McVey for samples to review, and if so what response have you had?

Well, from what I've understood, Kev has more than enough ideas and sculpts going for himself...but moulds and casts have to be paid in order to sell them and this is money Hasslefree doesn't have. The simple thing about commissionwork is you're getting paid the sculptwork, but you don't have to mould and cast models. At least, that's what I understood. Maybe some insiders can step in

Spot on!

Commission work will have plusses and minuses for any sculptor/business.

Plus side is a lump sum for completion of a sculpt, and like you say no mould/casting costs (essentially the financial risk lies with the individual/business doing the commissioning).

Downside is typically no onward stream of income.

[pixelgeek]

I have and always have been a fan of the sci-fi genre, so I can't say I'm ever tired of sci-fi sculpts, and I'm sure these will be really nice models, I just have to question how sensible it is in an already quite crowded market, and in the middle of a terrible worldwide economic crisis to move ahead with this line. I guess it all comes down to how much they'll cost, and how good the actual game is.

What makes you think there is going to be a game? They have said that the figures are for "gaming" but that isn't the same as saying there will be a game.

Nothing in their press release makes me think that there is going to be a set of rules published for this.

[Gluteus Maximus]

Well, from what I've understood, Kev has more than enough ideas and sculpts going for himself...but moulds and casts have to be paid in order to sell them and this is money Hasslefree doesn't have. The simple thing about commissionwork is you're getting paid the sculptwork, but you don't have to mould and cast models. At least, that's what I understood. Maybe some insiders can step in

I thgink that's how the Perrys work too. The day job is sculpting for GW and that helps them finance heir own stuff. Personally I don't mind who Kev sculpts for, as long as he keeps working 

[pixelgeek]

Out of interest WGG, have you asked McVey for samples to review, and if so what response have you had?

I had the same thought and also had the same question when I read his comments about Infinity.

[WarGameGuru]

I had the same thought and also had the same question when I read his comments about Infinity.

You know I probably should contact them, thanks for mentioning it! I have a lot on my plate at the moment, being a one-man show and all, and I never ask for something I don't have the time to cover, but once I catch up with what I'm working on at the moment, I may indeed contact them.

[WarGameGuru]

I agree (shock horror), that from a punters viewpoint, you can get similar quality models from Hasslefree directly, but the minis produced for Mike McVey are for a particular project, and so Kev is hardly likely to produce virtually similar minis for HF, and undercut Mike now is he?    In otherwords, if you like the sculpts that are in the McVey line, you will buy them from McVey, you won't buy them from Hasslefree.

The McVey resin castings on McVey's site are Limited Editions, which will also be reflected in the pricing.


You've made two assumptions, both of which I believe are wrong.

1) You seem to assume that people buying the minis equate them as luxury items, and will therefore trim back their spending due to the economic slowdown.  Most collectors/painters/gamers that I know, treat their lead horde as stress relief - they may well cut down on numbers bought, but often the quality actually goes up, as punters are more picky on what they buy.

2) You also seem to suggest that the success of the figure line depends upon the game - many punters that buy minis have no interest in gaming, and are buying them purely to paint/collect.

Ultimately, the arrangement must suit both McVey and Hasslefree, otherwise it wouldn't happen.

Out of interest WGG, have you asked McVey for samples to review, and if so what response have you had?

Spot on!

Commission work will have plusses and minuses for any sculptor/business.

Plus side is a lump sum for completion of a sculpt, and like you say no mould/casting costs (essentially the financial risk lies with the individual/business doing the commissioning).

Downside is typically no onward stream of income.

By the way Akula, we are all within our rights to have an opinion and to share our thoughts on these topics, as long as it's done in a civil manner correct?

Well I respect your opinion and thoughts on the topic, however, just because yours is different than mine, doesn't make yours right, or better. It's different that's all. I also find it insulting that you've attempted to stoop to the level that you did by questioning my motives as you have. If you don't like me, move on, and don't post. If you want to try and sling mud, go back to Frothers and do it, where it's allowed, and where you and your pals get off on it.

Like most Werner Klocke sculpts the faces on his models pretty much give away it's a Werner model. The same is true of Kev White's facial style. Most of us can pick out one of his models straight away just as easily by the face alone. One could argue like Werner's sculpts, almost all of Kev's girl faces look so much alike that you can tell it's his just the same.

So a Limited Edition McVey, or a Hasslefree female sci-fi model will look so similar, that I'd imagine they would fit together quite well in most generic sci-fi game systems, the only difference there will be is that the McVey ones will be limited edition and cost more than the Hasslefree ones. This isn't a slight towards McVey or anyone, I'm just looking at the facts here.

The fact of the matter is, one could buy a really nice Werner skulpt from Reaper for $4 USD too, which just might fit in nicely with his own Freebooter's Fate models too just the same, which cost easily twice as much. These are facts, not some underlying insult to anyone involved. But, I also bet that the ones Werner is selling for $15 USD+ are selling better than the $4 Reaper ones, because there's a solid game behind the more expensive ones made for Freebooter's Fate.

That's pretty much what I'm trying to say. I also thought someone mentioned that there would be a game for Seduction Wars, IF not then I apologize for being wrong on that account. But I stand by what I said about models selling better when they have a solid gaming system behind them.

I personally think and feel that the painter model enthusiast is more niche, and the minority compared to the die hard gamer who spends hundreds of dollars at a time every time they purchase models, to stay competitive, and to collect and build their armies, because they love the game system they're playing.

And I think the example of Warmachine and 40k back those statements up more than any others. Games like Malifaux and Freebooter's Fate are also game systems that are selling models like hotcakes, and  if you don't believe me, ask some retailers what's selling most at present.

And to say the painting enthusiast is a minority isn't an insult or negative at all, but based on the money companies like GW and Privateer Press is making, I think it's quite clear that there's probably a lot more truth to that than some are willing to admit too.

Analyze what I've said based on personal opinions you have about me all you want, and you'll come up wrong. Analyze what I've said based on the facts provided, and it becomes a little harder to debate some of the facts.

In hard economic times, something new, versus something established and already doing well is a huge challenge for the newcomer no matter how you look at it too. So sit back and challenge every word I say all you want, that's your right, but in the end, I believe there's a lot of truth to what I've said here regardless of what you say, most of which is no doubt based on the fact you simply WANT to prove me wrong, because you don't like me, which you've proven time and again by challenging things I've said here and elsewhere. Don't you ever feel that doing that is getting old too?

[pixelgeek]

If you don't like me, move on, and don't post. If you want to try and sling mud, go back to Frothers and do it, where it's allowed, and where you and your pals get off on it.

You can't kick up a fuss on other sites and not expect it to come back and haunt you.

And you can't publicly make statements on other sites about writing negative reviews of products if you aren't give free samples and not expect that to come and haunt you as well.

If you garner a reputation elsewhere then don't be surprised if it follows you about. Especially if you are trying to promote yourself as a source of reviews and critical opinion.

So a Limited Edition McVey, or a Hasslefree female sci-fi model will look so similar...

I suspect that you haven't seen a version of the Studio McVey sculpt Kev did then since it doesn't look a lot like any of the Hasslefree work he does.

I've said here regardless of what you say, most of which is no doubt based on the fact you simply WANT to prove me wrong, because you don't like me, which you've proven time and again by challenging things I've said here and elsewhere. Don't you ever feel that doing that is getting old too?

You reap what you sow. Maybe taking a more conciliatory attitude to people with contrary opinions might be a first step for you? You post opinions, people disagree and then you respond with this martyred position.

You can't tell people that they should respect your opinions when it appears that you don't really have any respect for contrary opinions yourself.

Do as you say and maybe people might not take so much umbrage to what you post :-)

[WarGameGuru]

I had the same thought and also had the same question when I read his comments about Infinity.

Oh Zac, I think you're site is broken again too, don't you think it's probably more important to fix your site, than to sit here taking jabs at me too?